Galgorm on the countdown to historic ISPS HANDA event

The local golfing focus may be on the eagerly anticpated return of The Open Championship to Royal Portrush this summer, but at Ballymena Galgorm Spa and Golf Resort are preparing to make a little bit of history themselves.

In less than eight weeks, the ISPS HANDA World Invitational, presented by Modest! Golf gets under way at the Co Antrim venue when men and women will compete alongside each other and for equal prize money.

The World Invitational is a first of its kind event in Europe and organisers have paved the way to create this exciting new international tournament where competitors from over 30 different countries have already registered to play.

The event formerly known as the Northern Ireland Open, and the best attended event on the European Challenge Tour, will now see some of the best professionals from the women’s game also compete over two venues, Galgorm and Massereene Golf Club.

Key names already registered to play include those featured in the top 10 of the Ladies European Tour (LET) money list with the promise of more to follow.

There will also be a strong representation from Australia and Asia with further announcements in the coming weeks.

Germany’s Olivia Cowan will feature at the World Invitational and will look continue her good form this season.

The 23-year-old finished tied third in Thailand on Sunday to add to the handful of other top 10s recorded earlier in the season.

Cowan’s compatriot Laura Fuenfstueck, Sweden’s Lina Boqvist and India’s Diksha Dagar are inside the top 10 on the ladies’ European money list and will be on show at Galgorm from August 15-18.

“We have created the opportunity for women to perform on the same stage as men and compete for the same prize fund,” explained Niall Horan, owner of Modest! Golf.

“I am delighted so many women professionals from around the world have already seized the opportunity to compete in the new World Invitational.”

Modest! have been involved in tournament golf at Galgorm for years.

“We wanted to create something different, something unique, and with the help of ISPS HANDA we’ve achieved that through the World Invitational,” added Horan.

“With such an exciting new format and a packed schedule of events planned for tournament week, including live music acts and more, we continue to help grow the game and attract new audiences.

“I’ve said it before, but I actually think this is a bigger day for European golf than we think,” enthused Horan.

Other women players listed to compete at Galgorm include prolific winner Trish Johnson, who has won 27 times on tour and has played Curtis Cup. The English golfer has won around the world and will look to make her mark in Ireland.

At the other end of the spectrum, England’s Annabel Dimmock is making great strides in the early stages of her career.

The 22-year-old won this season’s Jabra Ladies Open with rounds of 69, 69, 68.

Leona Maguire will be joined by the fellow Irish player Stephanie Meadow who will also make the trip across the Atlantic to tee it up in the $500,000 event.

Tickets for the World Invitational are already selling fast. Advanced ticket sales can be made at worldinvitational.golf where spectators can take advantage of the early bird offers and be part of another exceptional week for Irish golf.

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